Unsolicited Warnings....

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So, I started my new position and I'm loving it so far! My new hospital is awesome so, I feel blessed for this opportunity. My ONLY issue is:

I keep getting unsolicited warnings from some of the nurses.

For instance, one newish nurse told me, quite blatantly, "watch your back" Another, basically said that the nurses would likely give me a hard time. Yet, another went on a 5 minute early morning rant about the unit.

It's got me wondering.....should I take these unsolicited warnings seriously? Are these nurses just a touch bitter? And, why in the world are they telling me this stuff?!!

The unit seems great to me. Has anyone else started a new job and experienced this? Did the warnings turn out to be true or just fluff?

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my opinion is when some says there is a fire, there is a fire. take the warnings seriously.

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People like to gossip and complain. Just don't participate. Gossips like an audience. If you seem disinterested, they'll soon become bored with you and move on to a more receptive listener.

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Specializes in L&D.

I've had similar.....so what I have done is take it with a grain of salt. I watch what I say to people and keep quiet and my opinion unknown for a while until I know people's personality better.

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Just take what they say and tuck it away for now. "Thank you so much for your concern!" and go about your day. Be mindful not to get involved in all of the "this unit stinks" talk. It can only serve to get you involved in foolishness that you don't need to be a part of.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

You should tuck it away and watch your back, but try and approach whoever they are calling a backstabber as if you didn't hear it, and start from where you meet that person. So many times I've heard the most godawful things said about a person and really never had an issue.

In a toxic environment there is a tendency for one faction to recruit new people to their self-imposed drama show. There's a good chance the complainer is a dysfunctional person who blames others for their own shortcomings.

When you hear it try adopting a pleasant but non-committal expression and ask no questions!

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While individual credibility took a little time to figure out, I found the warnings, in general, to be very, very valid. As previously stated, take the information into advisement and make no statements that will put you on one side or the other, or even a third side.

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I would be cautious around the people saying these things. They may be looking for attention, saying it for shock value or just looking for someone to complain to. The negativity isn't good to be around. Take the warnings with a grain of salt.

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As a new nurse on the job, I would recommend you observe, reveal little about yourself and stay back from all the unit bickering. Be polite and helpful to everyone. After a few months, you will learn the "lay of the land" and be able to make informed opinions.

It is like when a nurse gives you a warning about patients. Sometimes the warning is true and I am glad the off-going nurse warned me about the confused patient's tendency to hit, or the inappropriate family member. Other times, I don't see what I was warned about.

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Specializes in ICU.

I would take warnings like that very seriously. Yes, some of it may just be drama between those coworkers, but you also don't want the time that you figure out that coworker X liked to snitch to management is when you let something slip in front of her because you thought you were friends and you didn't see what the big deal was. Some people look really nice and warm until they stab you in the back. Better safe that sorry.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

One person giving me an unsolicited warning would cause me to keep that warning in the back of my mind, but I wouldn't necessarily take it too seriously, depending on what was said. However, if three or four people warn me, then that is a different story. To me, that is something that would cause me to be very observant and watch what I do or say...and definitely not participate in any gossip. There is a friendly way to approach and work with people without getting caught up.

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Watch your back, especially if more than one person tells you to.

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